Investigating the use of plastic bags in Lagos, Nigeria

(1)

Master thesis in Sustainable Development 2021/8

Examensarbete i Hållbar utveckling

Investigating the use of plastic bags in

Lagos, Nigeria

Margaret Ojochide Aligbe

DEPARTMENT OF EARTH SCIENCES

I N S T I T U T I O N E N F Ö R

(2)

(3)

Master thesis in Sustainable Development 2021/8

Examensarbete i Hållbar utveckling

Investigating the use of plastic bags in Lagos,

Nigeria

Margaret Ojochide Aligbe

Supervisor:

Michael Jones

Subject Reviewer:

Martyn Futter

(4)

(5)

Investigating the use of plastic bags in Lagos, Nigeria

MARGARET OJOCHIDE ALIGBE

Aligbe, M.O, 2021: Investigating the use of plastic bags in Lagos, Nigeria, Master thesis in Sustainable

Development at Uppsala University, No. 2021/8, 96 pp, 30 ECTS/hp

Abstract:

Lagos State in Nigeria is faced with the massive problem of waste from plastic bags which causes the yearly flooding displacing thousands of residents and causes diseases like malaria. Plastic bags which became popular because of their versatility, affordability and durability have now become a major source of environmental degradation requiring the use of more environmentally friendly alternatives like Jute, woolen bags, and biodegradable types of plastic. The Nigerian legislature proposed a plastic bag prohibition bill to reduce the manufacture and use of plastic bags with fines and time behind bars which is Nigeria’s first attempt at managing the menace of single-use plastic bags. The goal of this study is to determine reasons for the continued use of plastic bags to contribute to better management of plastic bags waste. It further investigates the available alternatives and willingness of the residents of Lagos to embrace some alternatives to plastic bags. Anonymous online surveys were distributed across social media platforms and interviews involving shop owners described as “givers” who are off social media in this study was carried out. Responses from both quantitative and qualitative sources have been analyzed using the Nvivo software and connection circles have been developed to describe feedbacks within the system. Results showed that the lack of alternatives and convenience are the biggest reasons for the continued use of plastic bags in Lagos, Nigeria. The results further show that the proposed bill has not made provision of alternatives to plastic bags and incentives for manufacturers of plastic bags revealing poor public participation in policy-making of this nature. Overall, respondents have indicated a willingness to embrace alternatives to plastic bags and have mentioned that the situation is worsened by poor waste management in the state. Recommendations included more extensive research into the use of plastic bags with a bigger sample size with both online and offline platforms. This could encourage effective public participation in policy-making important for creating useful nudges in behavioural change in the shift from plastic bags.

Keywords: Sustainable Development, plastic bags, alternatives, flooding, plastic bag prohibition bill, public participation

Margaret Ojochide Aligbe, Department of Earth Sciences, Uppsala University, Villavägen 16, SE- 752 36 Uppsala, Sweden

(6)

Investigating the use of plastic bags in Lagos, Nigeria

MARGARET OJOCHIDE ALIGBE

Aligbe, M.O, 2021: Investigating the use of plastic bags in Lagos, Nigeria. Master thesis in Sustainable

Development at Uppsala University, No. 2021/8, 96 pp, 30 ECTS/hp

Summary:

The negative environmental impact of plastic in Lagos, Nigeria includes the yearly flooding during the rainy seasons which is more extreme from April to July and less extreme in the months of October to November. Flooding displaces thousands of residents, causes the spread of diseases like malaria and typhoid fever. It also results in loss of properties amounting to millions of Naira. Despite the known menace of plastic bags to man, animals, and the environment in general, residents of Lagos continue to rely on single-use plastic bags for their everyday needs like grocery shopping, wrapping of food items and even in acute situations for makeshift toilets. Despite thousands of tons of plastic waste generated daily in Lagos, only a tiny fraction is recycled which leaves an even larger amount back into the environment. Plastic bags have remained popular because of their affordability, versatility and durability making them the first choice in the absence of an alternative. Reasons for the continued use of plastic bags particularly in Lagos, Nigeria remains understudied, leaving room for assumptions and use of anecdotal evidence in policies centred on plastic bags waste management and general waste management. This is reflected in the 2018 Plastic bag prohibition bill which has been proposed by the Nigerian Legislature to cut down on the consumption and the manufacture of plastic. While this is commendable it begs the question of why residents of Lagos, like other parts of Nigeria, still use plastic bags. With many environmentally friendly alternatives to plastic bags like Jute, eco-plastics being made available to other countries across the world, Nigeria still imports primary plastic to meet the demand for single-use plastic bags which creates a cycle of constant use and more environmental damage. The purpose of this study was to answer these questions on why Lagos residents still use plastic bags, what alternatives are available to them and how this new information can be useful for effecting behavioural change on the switch from plastic bags.

Mixed methods of interviews and online surveys were used for this research to get relevant data from both the givers and receivers of plastic bags in Lagos, Nigeria. Anonymous online survey forms were used for one part of the study which was discussed with tables and pie charts. Nvivo software was used for interview transcription and coding into different themes to deepen the analysis of data collected. The connection cycle model for understanding the complexity of systems and one stock system model developed by Donella Meadows (2008) was used to summarize results as key elements in the use of plastic bags interact. The results show that the lack of alternatives to plastic bags was one of the biggest reasons for the continued use of plastic bags in Lagos Nigeria and respondents shown a high level of willingness to embrace alternatives if such were available. The results also show poor public knowledge of the proposed plastic bag prohibition bill which also reflected an unnecessarily high fine for use of plastic bags when provision for alternatives was absent in the bill.

This study contributes to a new aspect of studying plastic bags use in Nigeria. Nevertheless, more extensive research into the use of plastic bag involving larger sample size and resources is needed to corroborate and broaden the findings from this study. In addition, the use of social media platforms and other online research tools is recommended for public engagement in policy making on issues related to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Keywords: Sustainable Development, plastic bags, alternatives, flooding, plastic bag prohibition bill, public participation

Margaret Ojochide Aligbe, Department of Earth Sciences, Uppsala University, Villavägen 16, SE- 752 36 Uppsala, Sweden

(7)

(8)

i

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS

ACC American Chemistry Council CLI Cleaner Lagos Initiative

EPA United States Environmental Protection Agency FBRA Food and Beverage Recycling Alliance

FMCG Fast Moving Consumer Goods FTA Free Trade Agreement

HDPE High-Density Polyethylene

LASEPA Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency LAWMA Lagos State Waste Management Authority LDPE Low-Density Polyethylene

LGA Local Government Area

LLDPE Linear Low-Density Polyethylene MOE Ministry of Environment

NGO Non-Governmental Organization PSP Public Sector Participation

PUMAU Public Utilities Monitoring and Assurance SDGs Sustainable Development Goals

(13)

(14)

1

1. INTRODUCTION

Nigerians constantly use plastic bags locally known as polybags or nylon bags daily for consumer goods and even for packaging of food items. The ubiquitous choice of plastic bags is partly because of the lack of available alternatives like paper bags, jute bags which can offer consumers some sort of reliability as plastic bags. This constant consumption of plastic bags in Nigeria along with single use, indiscriminate littering, lack of reliable alternatives and poor waste disposal systems results in negative environmental impact like the known yearly flooding resulting from blocked drainages across the city of Lagos. Plastic bags1_{have become popular because of their affordability, lightweight}

and durability making them handy and easy to use

.

Plastics are also known for their suitability for various applications in products and different properties leading to rapid consumption when compared to other man-made materials (Xu, et al., 2020) (Paletta, et al., 2019) (Geyer, et al., 2017). Central to this ubiquitous choice of constant use of plastic bags are the social norms such as requesting a free plastic bag and receiving for free after every purchase at local supermarkets, open markets or even taking delivery from online shopping in many parts of Nigeria.

In this age of recycling and circular economy, more “eco-friendly” options made from “paper, cotton, biodegradable, and reusable polypropylene non-woven bags” (Ashiq, et al., 2021) are now being made available in many parts of the world but such options remain largely unavailable for residents across big cities like Lagos in Nigeria. The lack of available alternatives and the convenience plastic bags offer could be a trigger for more reliance on plastic bags leading to even more environmental pollution. It is common knowledge among retailers that refusing to give a customer a bag after a single purchase can negatively affect sales of retailers. Many consumers in Nigeria do not take this refusal lightly, considering it as a reason not to return for another purchase. Most plastic bags are of poor quality, designed for single-use to be disposed of, then a new one is requested again after every purchase, a never-ending vicious circle of production-consumption-disposal. Drainage systems end up blocked during rainy seasons causing flooding which displaced millions of residents. Consequently, blocked sewage systems become the perfect breeding environment for mosquitoes causing malaria and over-flowing gutters pollute sources of drinking water leading to the spread of cholera and typhoid fever. Winds also carry poorly disposed plastic bags over long distances where they get entangled on trees and sometimes on electric cables.

Shopping bags made from polyethylene is commonly used in Nigeria known on the streets of Lagos, Nigeria as polybags or nylon bags. Polyethylene (PE) is a globally common product of plastic in the world, not just in Nigeria. The demand for Polyethylene (PE) increased by 20% from 2012 to 2017 (Saibuatrong, et al., 2017). Nigeria is one of the highest plastic consuming countries in Africa and a large producer. While Kenya is fighting planned importation of plastic waste in a new trade agreement with the United States, following the ban on plastic importation by China in 2018, Nigeria still imports plastics in primary and as finished products from the United States of America, the Republic of Korea and India. Nigeria is also a big plastic manufacturing country. In 2013 alone, plastic product companies in Nigeria had a production capacity of over 100,000 tons per year

1_{Plastic bags refer to multipurpose carrier bags with handles made from polyethylene used for}

everyday needs like shopping, packaging at home, offices and commercial spaces in Lagos, Nigeria. Also known as polybags.

(15)

2

(Heinrich Böll Foundation, 2020). These figures show Nigeria has a plastic problem and polyethylene plastic bags which is the focus of this research is just one piece of the plastic puzzle.

Understanding the “why” in the use of plastic bags could become an important tool for drafting policies useful for behavioural change. In 2019, “The Plastic Bag Prohibition Bill” was adopted by the Nigerian Federal House of Representatives to prohibit the use and manufacture of plastic bags at the commercial and household level. The bill which would likely suffer a setback due to a “punitive approach” similar to other legislative steps taken may not be effective to curb the culture of plastic bag use (Nwafor & Walker, 2020). It has not taken into consideration the reasons why Nigerians still use plastic bags.

Mismanaged land-based plastic waste from coastal regions like Lagos is a major concern as it spills into the water environment threatening marine life and the ecosystem. This is reflected in environmental legislation and agreements across the world to reduce waste (Nwafor &Walker 2020). It is important to understand consumer perceptions on plastic bag use and to explore the potentials for replacing single-use plastic grocery bags with other sustainable alternatives. The overall goal of the proposed research is to investigate why people living in Lagos still use plastic bags especially at a time when there are more environmentally friendly options.

1.1. Research Questions

1. Why do people living in Lagos, Nigeria use plastic bags?

2. What are the alternatives to plastic bags available and are people willing to embrace these alternatives?

3. How can the responses from both questions 1 and 2 can be useful in effecting behavioural change from plastic bag use?

1.1.1. Study Area

Lagos state located in the coastal southwestern region of Nigeria has a reputation that precedes it far beyond the shores of the Atlantic Ocean (Lagos State Government, 2018). With an official population estimate of over 17 million people, 3 % rise from 2019 (world population review), Lagos is not only Nigeria’s biggest economic hub, but it is also a major financial centre in Africa. Around 6,000 people come into Lagos state daily from all over Nigeria to trade in major markets like Idumota, Mile 12 and for work, according to data collected by the Nigerian Environmental Society (2017). The biggest percentage of plastic waste in Nigeria is found in the famous coastal city of Lagos. During the 2018 launch of the “Clean-Up Lagos Waterfront Initiative”, the Lagos state commissioner for environment quoted the 2015 Wall Street Journal report which stated that the Lagos state alone generated 0.17 million metric tons of plastic waste per year. As a coastal city, constant research on the impact of poorly managed land-based plastic waste on land and marine environment is required at different levels.

(16)

3

Figure 1: Map of Lagos State showing all the 20 Local Government Areas (Source: https://www.mapsof.net/nigeria/lga-lagos)

2. PLASTICS AND PLASTIC BAGS

The suitability of plastics for various “applications and use in a multitude of products, including wide-ranging properties like versatility and adaptability has led to more production and consumption of plastic, surpassing most other man-made materials” (Xu, et al., 2020) (Paletta, et al., 2019) (Geyer, et al., 2017). The term “plastics” does not refer a single material even though we often we speak of it as a single material. There are different plastics specifically designed for different purposes and from different materials. Plastics are produced from fossil fuels (petroleum-based, crude oil sources), renewable materials (sugarcane, starch, specific type of vegetable oils) and salts (PlasticsEurope, 2019). The type of material used partly determines whether the type of plastic will biodegrade or remain in the environment after use. Plastics made from non-renewable petroleum and natural gas materials consumes between 8% to 10% of the total global oil production during manufacturing. It takes an estimated 10,240 barrels of oil to produce 100 million plastic bags (Geyer, et al., 2017). Plastic made from non-renewable carbon sources like petroleum accelerates climate change impact. According to the Plastic Atlas (Heinrich Böll Foundation, 2020), it would amount to around 56 gigatons of emission from Green House Gases (GHG) like CO2 by 2050 keeping global warming below 1.5 degree Celsius. This estimation would mean “10 to 13 per cent of the remaining carbon budget” will be used up by plastic production alone. (Heinrich Böll Foundation, 2020). It follows that worldwide, nearly 2 million plastic bags are used each minute and you could use the same quantity of energy from manufacturing 12 plastic shopping bags to drive a car for at least a mile (Earth Policy Institute, 2014).

Plastic bags are among the “top five items found in beach and river clean-ups” (Parker, 2019) making up a large portion of mismanaged plastic waste ending up in the ocean from Africa's coastal and island countries like Egypt, Nigeria, South Africa, Algeria and Morocco who are among top 20 marine debris contributors globally (Jambeck, et al., 2018). Most plastics cannot decompose because they are “traditionally petroleum-based” (Landon-Lane, 2018). Plastics products like polyethylene bags that do not decompose at the end of their useful life when they enter the environment remain “as solid waste at the end of their usable life cycle” (Saibuatrong, et al., 2017) eventually polluting the environment, animals and humans. These types of plastics photodegrade under sunlight even though the process is slowly inefficient (Bashir, 2013) in this anthropogenic era of increased human activities leading to environmental degradation.

According to Plastics Europe (2019):

(17)

4

tons in 2018, of which Africa and the Middle East contribute 7% to the distribution. • 9.2 billion tons of plastic have been produced between 1950 and 2017.

• In 2018, over 1.13 trillion of mostly plastic packaging were used for food and drinks in the European Union (EU). The agricultural sector uses around 6.5 million ton of plastic yearly worldwide.

The escalating use of different forms of plastic including plastic bags and inadequate plastic waste management systems has led to accumulation both on land and water environment (Villarrubia-Gómez, et al., 2018). Broken down plastics into tiny toxic pieces called microplastics are ingested by both aquatic and terrestrial animals, ending up our dining tables (Braun & Traore, 2015). 80 % of marine plastic debris comes from land sources, a percentage which will accumulate and increase by 2025 in the absence of proper waste disposal management systems. In the past 15 years, humans have produced more plastic than ever in history. (Jambeck, et al., 2015). Noteworthy is how different interpretations of what plastic degradation means has become a challenge for attaining uniformity in the classification of plastic degradation, in the absence of any “international standard for the degradation of plastic” (Landon-Lane, 2018), especially in research. Uniformity in the approach of what degradation means in a specific context is important for designing solution against plastic pollution and clarifying the ecological hazards concerning the resilience of plastic polymers (Webb, et al., 2013) (Scalenghe, 2018). In addition, the debate surrounding the difference between and the meaning of the words “biodegradable” and “degradable”, used interchangeably complicates discourses around plastic recycling and types (Commonwealth of Australia, 2016),

Polyethylene bags common in Nigeria are single-use, expendable plastics manufactured deliberately for mostly packaging and one-time use before disposal like grocery bags, containers, plastic straws, cups and party packs (Dumbili & Lesley, 2020). With a focus on single-use, plastic packaging accounts for 26% of annual plastic production, resulting in losses between $80–120 billion from the global economy and externalities amounting to $40 billion (World Economic Forum, 2016) (Landon-Lane, 2018). A report by the United Nation Environment Programme (UNEP, 2018) stated that plastic packaging makes up almost half of all global plastic waste according, much of which is single-use plastic. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as much as one trillion plastic bags are used each year globally and only 5% gets recycled (Anderson, 2016). Another peer reviewed study (Geyer, et al., 2017), states that of the 8.3 billion metric tons of plastic produced, only 9% is recycled, close to 79% end up in landfills or discarded into the environment, 12% incinerated (Xu, et al., 2020) (Geyer, et al., 2017).

Plastic bags popularly known as polybags or Nylon bags in Nigeria are an integral part of the everyday routine of millions across Nigeria. Plastic bags used for shopping, packaging and mostly single-use are common in households, offices, shopping malls, local markets, schools etc. across Nigeria. This research is focused on plastic bags from Polyethylene sources. Polyethylene (PE) is one of the most common plastic products in the world, not just in Nigeria. The demand for Polyethylene (PE) increased by 20% between 2012 to 2017 (Saibuatrong, et al., 2017). The type and purpose of each bag determine the composition and polymer branching.

(18)

5

Image 1; Popular Carrier bags with brand logos in Nigeria (Polymer Packaging Nigeria/Google Images)

With more environment-friendly options of plastic grocery bags made from “Kraft paper, cotton, biodegradable, and non-woven reusable polypropylene” becoming more popular (Ashiq, et al., 2021), the lack of such sustainable and reliable alternatives in large quantities cities across Nigeria has meant that Nigerians are yet to catch up with the trend.

2.1. Plastic Importation and Production in Nigeria

The African continent is being hailed as leading the global fight against the ban on plastic bags with many of those bans coming from Sub-Saharan African counties led by Kenya. In a recent US-Kenya Free Trade Agreement (FTA) which included removing import tariffs, there is also the plastic waste burden. Kenya is trying to push back an estimated 500million tons of plastic waste export from the US per year lobbied by the American Chemistry Council (ACC) whose members include Shell, Exxon, Total, Dupont and Dow, a push back on the Basel Convention “enhancing the control of the transboundary movements of plastic waste” (Basel Convention, 2019, Whitehouse, 2020) thereby

(19)

6

limiting the entrance of plastic waste into low- and middle-income countries from 2021. Africa as a continent is already suffering from weak infrastructure is faced with the possibility of more than doubling plastic waste from 4.4million metric tons in 2010 to 10.5 million metric tons in 2025 (Jambeck, et al., 2018). According to The Africa Report, “The US exported more than 1 billion pounds of plastic waste to 96 countries, including Kenya, in 2019” (Whitehouse, 2020). Most plastic waste was exported to China until January 2018 when China banned plastic importation (Heinrich Böll Foundation, 2020) forcing the United States to find elsewhere to export its plastic waste. Being one of the Africa’s highest plastic consumer and producer in Africa, Nigeria has a history of plastic resin production, between 2009 and 2015, Nigeria produced 2.3 million tons of primary plastics and in 2013 alone, plastic product companies had a production capacity of over 100,000 tons per year (Anyaogu, 2021, Heinrich Böll Foundation, 2020). Despite being counted as one of the 34 out of 54 countries in Africa haled for banning plastics, Nigeria remains Africa’s second-largest importer of plastic in the primary form which is used for production of more items with high local demands. Accounting for 75% of imported plastics in primary forms are polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinylchloride, and polyesters. Between 1996 and 2017, Nigeria imported more than 20 million tonnes of plastics, a figure that could double by 2030 if reliance on plastic is not controlled. 17% per cent of plastic import comes from the United States of America, closely followed by the Republic of Korea at 13% and India at 9% (Heinrich Böll Foundation, 2020). These figures show Nigeria has a plastic problem and polyethylene plastic bags which is the focus of this research is just one piece of the plastic puzzle.

Primary forms of plastic imported to Nigeria and use

Table 1: major primary form of plastic importation and uses in Nigeria. Source; (Heinrich Böll Foundation, 2020)

Forms Uses

Polypropylene and other olefins Plastic diapers, margarine containers, yoghurt boxes, syrup bottles, rakes, plastic bottle caps, biscuit wrappers, crates, drinking straws, among others.

Polyvinylchloride Pipes, wire and cable sheathing, synthetic leather products, shower curtains and food packaging.

Polystyrene Disposable cups, plastic food boxes, insulation, egg boxes and seed trays, among other items.

Other categories of plastics like amino resins, phenolics and polyurethanes

Cushioning foams, thermal insulation foams and surface coatings

2.1.1. Plastic Waste Disposal and Negative Environmental Impact

As a consequence of poor trash disposal systems in many major cities in Nigeria like Lagos (Nnaji, 2015), the culture of indiscriminate waste littering and the absence of proper recycling mechanisms, these plastic bags end up in illegal waste dumps across the states. The drainage systems end up

(20)

7

blocked causing yearly flooding which usually lasts throughout the rainy seasons from April to July in coastal areas like Lagos State, displacing millions of residents. Clogged sewage systems become the perfect breeding environment for mosquitoes and flooding washes away footpaths, causing people to move around in dirty water from overflowing gutters, polluting major sources of drinking water leading to the spread of cholera and typhoid fever (Olubanjo, 2019). Winds also carry poorly disposed plastic bags over long distances where they get entangled on trees and sometimes on electric cables. (Ramaswamy & Sharma, 2011).

Incineration of waste is still a big part of waste management in many parts of Nigeria. The challenge with incineration is that it becomes a major source of environmental pollution and hazard releasing carbon dioxide into the environment, even the best industrial waste incineration mechanism does not guarantee pollutants escaping into the atmosphere (Heinrich Böll Foundation, 2020). In some cases, they remain in the environment for years even when those areas become residential areas as the city develops. Non-degradable fractions of waste like plastic bags remained buried for 13 years in former landfills at Mpape landfill in Abuja, Nigeria (Ayuba, et al., 2013). Due to the different chemicals added to the plastic base to boost the desirable characteristics which make plastics versatile, the accumulation of such chemicals in air and dust indoors poses serious health risks. (Heinrich Böll Foundation, 2020). In Singapore, the paper had a higher environmental footprint compared to plastic shopping bags in lifecycle assessment research (Ashiq, et al., 2021) proving that a switch to alternatives like paper requires consideration of the kind of infrastructure available and the make-up of materials.

(21)

8

Figure 3: Plastic bag litter in Ketu Alapere axis of Lagos (Spiff Moses Noah, 2021)

Image 4: Littered Canal behind Alapere Estate, Lagos (Spiff Moses Noah, 2021)

(22)

9

Image 6: littered gutter with different types of plastic in Lagos (Spiff Moses Noah, 2021) An estimated 15, 000 tons of waste is generated daily in Lagos, of which 50 per cent is plastic and only 30 per cent of that is recyclable. In other words, over 7,500 tons of plastic waste is created daily but only 2,500 tons can be recycled; the remainder ends up in the waterways and illegal dumpsites across the city (Ojewale, 2019). In another report, Lagos is said to generate between 7.5 kg to 45kg of plastic waste per capita per year. “About 20 million tons of primary plastics and plastic products were imported into Nigeria through Lagos ports between 1996 to 2017” (Heinrich Böll Foundation, 2020), a number that is expected to rise to over 40 million tons by 2030 according to the 2020 Plastic Atlas, aggravating the already existing plastic pollution in Lagos, Nigeria. According to the Food and Beverage Recycling Alliance (FBRA), Lagos State produces half of the estimated 150,000 annual metric ton of used plastic waste in Nigeria (Ibukun, 2019).

2.1.2. Plastic Waste Recycling

The Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency, LASEPA, announced in 2020 that “it is set to ban all single-use plastic bags within its premises from Monday, 13th January 2020 in a move to protect the environment and encourage eco-friendly products while calling for suitable and multiple-use alternatives to prevent pollution and avoid disposal problems” (Lagos State Government, 2020). In 2012, Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), introduced waste banks, buy-back programme to improve waste management in the Lagos metropolis. The idea was two recycling initiatives called “waste to wealth” and a buyback waste programme for residents of the state to earn money from specific waste items on the streets as landfills could no longer take all the non-biodegradable materials. In August 2016, Cleaner Lagos Initiative (CLI) was launched by the Ministry of Environment, and the Public Utilities Monitoring and Assurance Unit (PUMAU). In 2019, the state waste management board in its road map to a more resource-efficient Lagos announced its plans to optimize generated waste for a zero-waste economy. Among listed strategies were Public Sector Participation (PSP), waste sorting, recycling and public enlightenment on plastic waste management in the 20 local government areas of the state (Adeyemo, 2019). Lack of adequate waste disposal infrastructures (Nnaji, 2015) and the high cost of recycling has increased the reluctance to invest in recycling in Lagos, compounding the complexity and potential for recycling. While local Initiatives like Wecyclers, Kaltani, Risley Bridge Company and Recycle Point collaborates with local scavengers picking specific types of plastic bottles, polyethylene bags and empty sachet water packs in exchange for money per kilograms, only a very little percentage is eventually recycled compared to overall plastic waste in Lagos. Some of these initiatives crush the plastic bottles into pellets, bricks

(23)

10

and Ecobarter, an NGO in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital city has gone further to convert plastic bags into items like school bags. One other initiative which has included the conversion of plastic bags waste to bags, mats and other household items in empowerment program is the “Waste to Wealth Program” in collaboration with Yola Eco Sentials (YES) started in 2012 by the American University of Nigeria, Yola, Northern Nigeria (Ating, 2016). In the absence of proper, sustainable recycling mechanisms, large quantities of empty plastic bottles and plastic bags collected can end up accumulated in warehouses. The non-existence of a bill signed into law at the federal or state level enforcing the control of plastic waste and poor waste disposal infrastructure creates a vacuum for different NGOs to operate independently. The buy-back program launched in 2012 by the Lagos State Government to curb plastic waste and used by many recycling initiatives in the state has failed to deliver on the promise of cutting down plastic waste, especially plastic bags.

2.1.3. Public Awareness and Plastic Bag Ban across Africa

While public plastic recycling is an important part of people’s lifestyles in countries like Sweden due to public awareness in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), recycling designs must fit within specific cultural categories to improve the overall waste recycling as what works in Sweden may not work well within the Nigerian society. Cultural perception of the general waste management system can affect the outcome of a recycling design as this is dependent on varied interpretation (Henriksson, et al., 2010). Coupled with cultural perception, recycling is not enough to help Nigeria overcome the plastic burden. The kind of plastic bags available to Nigerians are designed for single-use, which plays perfectly into an existing culture of constant plastic bag single-use, lack of public awareness, absence of alternatives and poor waste disposal systems. “Recycling accounts for only 14% of plastic packaging, which decreases to approximately 5% after wastage and inefficiencies in the recycling process, compared to recycling rates for paper and iron/steel, which is 58% and 70– 90% respectively” (Landon-Lane, 2018). Recycling polyethylene bags in Nigeria is more expensive than producing new polyethylene bags, making the recycling option unattractive to manufacturing companies in Nigeria (Ayuba, et al., 2013) who rely on importation of cheap primary forms of plastic. To manage plastic bags waste in Lagos with already weak infrastructure, recycling and waste disposal mechanism must be considered but what is even more important is to understand how the culture of plastic bags must change to reduce demand and production. It is also important for alternatives to plastic bags to be introduced along with public awareness in a way that is not seen as a punishment to encourage citizens to embrace it.

In 2019, “The Plastic Bag Prohibition Bill” adopted by the Federal House of Representative after the third reading may likely suffer a setback (if and when it is fully implemented) due to “punitive approach” similar to other legislative steps taken may not be effective to curb the culture of plastic bag use (Nwafor & Walker, 2020). The adopted bill means Nigeria is waking up to the reality of the plastic bag problem following the steps taken by other African countries like Kenya, South Africa, South Sudan and Rwanda who have backed the ban on plastic bag use with policies of paying for shopping bags, fines for using, manufacturing, importation and life behind bars. As of 2019, 34 countries in Africa have either passed a law or attempted to ban plastics totally (Green Peace, 2020) (Nwafor & Walker, 2020). Of these 34 countries, 16 have focused on achieving a total ban on plastic bags through punitive measures of fines going as high as $38,000 or four years behind bars in Kenya for use of plastic bags (Parker, 2019) even though there is very little to show for implementation and decisive actions on a larger scale. Rwanda was hailed by the United Nations in 2008 as Africa’s cleanest city for its ban on biodegradable plastic bags has a target of becoming the first-ever plastic-free nation (Clavel, 2014). The country has also offered tax incentives to encourage plastic manufacturing companies to consider recycling and creating a thriving space for eco-friendly alternatives. The downside has been the excessive use of paper bags which poses unintended environmental concerns like more waste and failure of paper bags as alternatives not being able to deliver on the affordability and reliability of plastic bags. The ban in Rwanda has also created a black

(24)

11

market for plastic bags which is still being smuggled into the country (Clavel, 2014) (Down To Earth, 2013).

Image7; Map showing 34 countries banning plastic bans across Africa. (GreenPeace, 2020)

These 34 countries which have passed some type of plastic bag ban at different levels are Eritrea, Republic of Benin, Tanzania, Uganda, Senegal, Cote d’Ivoire, Nigeria, Madagascar, Mali, Tunisia, Malawi, Mauritania, The Gambia, Kenya, Rwanda, Mauritius, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (Congo Kinshasa), Congo Brazzaville, Seychelles, Burkina Faso, Botswana, Zambia, South Africa, Gabon, Ethiopia, Cameroon, Djibouti, Morocco, Niger, Togo, Zimbabwe, Cape Verde, Burundi, Guinea Bissau.

Government policies aim to influence societal behaviour through legislation, sanctions, taxes, fines with reasons that include conferring social, economic and community benefits (Australian Public Service, 2018). Spoken and written language (van Dijk, 1985), how “ideologies function” (Breeze, 2011) is an integral part of policy making and understanding the context of policy goals as well impact. “Language plays an important role in the exchange of information and communication of knowledge on society, history, culture, traditions, and customs” (Manzoor, et al., 2019).

2.1.4. Behavioural Change and Incentives to Switch from Plastic Bags

Influencing human behaviour can be complex with wicked problems like climate change, plastic pollution which poses a great challenge for policies delivering on targeted outcomes with implications for the society (Australian Public Service, 2018). Context, chosen language, metaphors, the figure of speech, framing, narratives “in policies in a bid to attract or persuade” requires thorough analysis to understand the gap in theory and execution (Gasper & Apthorpe, 1996). In Japan, Psychological intervention approach in the consumption of plastic bags was conducted in Japan showing the impact of the right interventions for behavioural change (Ohtomo & Ohnuma, 2014). Knowing why people use plastic bags in Lagos, Nigeria, constant public awareness on the dangers of plastic bags by the government, more of incentives for taking personal responsibility with less punitive measures, availability of reliable alternatives will provide a deeper understanding of the narratives, beliefs underlying the problem of plastic bags (Bartels, 2020). Lack of proper legislative tools, weak infrastructures, measurable indicators and zero incentives like effective public enlightenment will result in a legislative setback. With more Nigerians now slipping into poverty, worsened by the coronavirus pandemic (Andam, et al., 2020), the desire to embrace environmentally friendly behaviour slowly dies. The pandemic could add as many as 150 million people to the

(25)

12

extreme poverty2_{line and countries in Sub-Saharan Africa will be amongst those severely affected}

(The World Bank, 2020). Poverty is strongly linked to environmental degradation, hazards, socioeconomic status and policies that do not acknowledge this linkage (UNESCAP, n.d.). People are more focused on survival in poor countries like Nigeria compared to countries like Sweden with a higher standard of living, availability of safety nets, thriving infrastructure and high public enlightenment (Scott, 2006) (Banerjee & Duflo, 2011).

Despite talks on climate change and activities on the SDGs, many Nigerians remain disengaged towards environmental pollution partly because of the need to survive first, lack of effective public enlightenment and much-needed waste disposal infrastructure. Such indifference becomes a barrier to policy implementation in the absence of personal responsibility (Australian Public Service, 2018) due to poor public commitment and alternatives to plastic bags. Theories of behavioural change like social cognitive theory, the theory of planned behaviour or the transtheoretical method look deeply into elements that compel people to behave the way they do. Understanding these elements like intentions, norms, nudges, fear, and response efficacy can help policymakers design policies targeted at behavioural or attitude change (CommGap, n.d.). Intent towards the use of plastic bags is linked to beliefs and plays key roles in environmental impact in China as the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) used in the study shows (Ying, et al., 2017).

3. METHODOLOGY AND METHODS

The mixed-method approach provides a comprehensive approach to gathering data and also known as the concept of triangulation in social science research. Mixed methods provide more reliable results than relying on either qualitative or quantitative methodologies (Haq, 2014). Researchers can “present multiple findings of a single phenomenon by deploying various elements of quantitative and qualitative approaches in one research” (Bouchrika, 2021). Mixed research methodology requires researchers to tactically understand and consider the different dimensions of the methods they choose to combine and balance that with validity issues. (Schoonenboom & Johnson, 2017). Using a mixed-methods approach offers a foundation for an informed interpretation and analysis in breaking down the underlined construct/narratives (Howlett, et al., 2020) in social science research. The mixed-methods approach has been chosen for this research to combine empirical and in-depth contextualization in understanding practical problem like plastic pollution. Quantitative research like online surveys is useful in gathering data for understanding human behaviour, psychology (Lamiell, 2003), social structure, patterns and exploring large scale relationships (Roberts & Winters, 2012). Qualitative research like interviews goes “beneath the surface” offering a holistic understanding of human behaviour (Mariampolski, 2001). Quantitative data gathering is an important tool with the strengths of use in broad interpretation and assessing behaviours or phenomena (Rahman, 2017). Combining qualitative research methods with quantitative methods goes beyond a generalization of a group of people with collected data to a deeper understanding from an individual perspective in this research.

The coronavirus pandemic has limited movement and the opportunities for in-person survey with Lagos residents, making online tools a viable option. A 2019 research survey has shown that researchers can benefit from using social media with “additional formal training regarding the correct

(26)

13

application and interpretation of metrics” (Lemke, et al., 2019). The quantitative methodology approach uses objective understanding based on organized data learning towards “positive scientific tradition” in sourcing data needed for kind of research (Autio, 1995) (Ruokolainen, 2003). Social media growth over the years has changed the approach to research and facilities information sharing as more scientists now use platforms like Twitter and LinkedIn (Collins, et al., 2016). Scientists are increasingly embracing social media surveys as it helps to build communication and collaboration across geographical borders (Nature Cell Biology, 2018). According to data by Statista, there were an estimated 25million Nigerian social media users. 94% used WhatsApp, 87% used Facebook, 50% used Twitter and 67% used Instagram (Statista, 2020). These figures show that there are many Nigerians on social media platforms sufficient to get the required data for the online survey targeted at Lagos residents. The social media survey is also useful for collecting data on key determinants (Umer, et al., 2018) in the daily use of a plastic bag.

Published research on plastic pollution has influenced the use of mixed method approach because of the social and economic features of Nigerian society. In particular, the complexity of big cities like Lagos with such a large population, decentralized waste management systems and a lot of economic activities, many of which are informal and hidden, involving the use of plastic bags with visible environmental impact. As a result, a single method may not be sufficient to give the data needed to answer the questions of this research. The previous methods used include; literature review was used to highlight the research gap in plastic pollution in Nigeria (Dumbili & Lesley, 2020); A systemic peer review of government policies and reports has been used to comprehensively examine anti-plastic policies in West Africa (Issahaku, et al., 2020); Survey design method used for researching willingness of residents in Awka, Anambra State, South Eastern Nigeria to embrace alternatives to plastic bags (Iheukwumere, et al., 2019) and plastic bag consumption behaviour in Ecuador (Zambrano-Monserrate & Ruano, 2020). A semi-structured questionnaire was used in determining the usage, impact, and disposal of plastic bags on the environment in Jimma City, Ethiopia (Adane & Muleta, 2011). A textual analysis technique has been used to weigh in on the ban of carrier bags in South Sudan (Kwori, 2019). Discourse analysis has also been used for the interpretation of policies (Nwafor & Walker, 2020) (Australian Public Service, 2018) (Tummers, 2019).

The mixed-method approach I chose combines the semi-structured questionnaire (Adane & Muleta, 2011) used in similar research in Jimma City, Ethiopia and the survey design method (Iheukwumere, et al., 2019) used in Awka, Anambra State, South Eastern Nigeria. The two methods fit well within the context and style useful for the study area of Lagos, Nigeria. Sourcing data was done through an anonymous online survey that permits data collection from residents across the 20 local government areas of Lagos State has been done using the Google online form survey which summarized data for further analysis with Microsoft Excel and Nvivo qualitative research software. It is also important to note that the use of semi-structured interviews gave a background for understanding the issues affecting plastic bag pollution from both the consumer and retailer perspectives relevant to this study. Interviews allowed for direct interaction and deeper context to data collection.

3.1. Methods

A mixed-method approach that combines both anonymous online surveys as quantitative and semi-structured interviews as qualitative methods have been used as a tool to gather data about retailers and their customers. Considering the study is focused on the daily use of plastic bags and the underlining factors that contribute to this decision, the population of this study were the residents of Lagos State who are online, including customers and retailers distributed across the 20 local government area.

3.1.1. Online Survey (Quantitative Data)

(27)

multiple-14

choice responses in the English Language (see appendix A4). The first section contains the general description and purpose of the survey, the second section contains socio-economic data for respondents like Local Government Areas (LGA), age, gender, education and occupation. The third section of the survey contains the questions on the use of plastic bags ranging from the number of bags used per day, asking for a plastic bag or being given, knowledge of the negative impact of plastic bags on the environment, disposal of used plastic bags, alternatives to plastic bags, awareness of the plastic bag probation bill passed by the house of representative and willingness to pay for a plastic bag. (see appendix). All the questions were made compulsory to ensure uniformity in the number of questions responded to and personal information has not been collected or stored to enable respondents to give a less biased response to the survey. The online survey was designed with the consideration of avoiding duplicity of responses which requires a sign in with a real email address. After the online survey form was closed for responses, the data summary was extracted through the backend of the Google survey form into a Microsoft Excel sheet. The part of the form requiring respondents’ opinion on their support for or against the plastic ban proposed in the bill was extracted and coded under specific themes with Microsoft Excel, further reducing the data amount for better analysis and drawing results.

3.1.2. Semi-Structured Interviews

Interviewees selected for the semi-structured interviews were categorized as givers (retailers, store owners who give plastic bags) and receivers (the consumers who normally get for the bags with or without asking). The semi-structured interviews included randomly selected respondents (15 receivers and 15 givers) across the 20 local government areas. Interview lasting between 30-45 minutes was done through phone recording in response to 10 direct questions on plastic bags each (see appendix A2 and A3).

Before analyzing collected data, preparation was made by checking and confirming responses to be sure no question has been skipped. The recorded interviews were transcribed and the responses from the receivers and givers were put in separate files to avoid mix up. The responses to each of the questions from each file were then coded and categorized under specific themes used for identifying patterns in responses of both consumers and retailers. This analysis has been done with NVivo qualitative research software. Consent was obtained from the interviewees before the recorded phone interviews and I have used my student email in correspondence with the interviewee to prove that recorded information has been for academic purposes only and to encourage feedback. The interviews. were conducted in the English language, even though a bit of Nigerian Pidgin English has been used to break down some parts of the interview for some shop owners.

3.1.3. Copy of Plastic Bag Prohibition Bill

A copy of the plastic probation bill was also used as a secondary source for gathering data. Questions on the content of the bill like proposed fines, punishment and definition of an offence, in this case, has been included in the interviews and surveys to establish perceptions of the proposed ban on plastic bags. PDF copies and links for accessing it online was sent to participants of the semi-structured interviews. (see appendix A1)

3.1.4. Use of Connection Circles

Connection circles have been used to understand the complexity of the causes and effects in the use of plastic bags in Lagos, Nigeria. A connection circle is used at the end of the results to summarize the data from the interviews and online surveys. Connection circles are tools for relationship building useful for promoting and understanding complexity (Rasmussen, 2016). Connection circles are important “graphic organizers for generating ideas about changing conditions within a system” (Molloy 2018, Quaden et al 2005). Connection circles can be used for choosing key elements which

(28)

15

clarify the cause-and-effect relationships in any system. This is followed by the use of the one-stock model (Meadows, 2008) to describe feedbacks as the system seeks to achieve new goals of reducing single-use plastic bags getting into the environment in Lagos, Nigeria.

4. Results

Data derived from online surveys and interviews are presented in different sections of this chapter using pie charts, tables and open-ended responses have described with thematic analysis. The summary for both online survey and interviews is presented at the end of this chapter with a connection circle.

4.1.1. Socio-economic data from the online survey

A total of 147 responses have been received from the online survey from the 20 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Lagos. Responses were collected from February 23 till March 1st, 2021. Table 2 below shows the socioeconomic data on gender, age, education and occupation from the online survey.

Table 2: socio-economic data from the online survey (Author’s online survey 2021)

Item Number of respondents Percentage (%) Gender Male 94 63.9 Female 46 31.3

Prefer not to say 7 4.8

Age

Less than 20 Years 2 1.4

20-30 years 51 34.7 31-40 years 70 47.6 41-50 years 20 13.6 Over 50 years 4 2.7 Educational Level Primary 0 - Secondary 1 0.7 Vocational 1 0.7 Undergraduate Degree/National Diploma/Higher National Diploma

47 32

Post Graduate Degree 98 66.7

Occupation

Student 11 7.5

Employed 84 57.1

Self-Employed 43 29.3

Unemployed 9 6.1

The results also show more male respondents with 63.9% compared to the female gender making up 31.3% from the surveys. 47.6% of respondents from the online survey were within the age range of 31-40 years which was the highest, followed by 20-30 years with 34.7% and 41-50 years with 13.6%. This resonates with figures from the Statista 2020 survey showing that 18-35 years old makeup almost

(29)

16

40% of active users on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Postgraduate3_{degree holders have the}

highest percentage among respondents with 66.7% and 32% have an undergraduate degree showing that over 50% of respondents have the level of education required for responding to the online survey. In terms of employment 57.1% makes up the largest number, while students had the lowest representation with 7.5%.

Table 3: Respondents LGA distribution from the online survey (Author’s online survey 2021)

Local Government Area (LGA) Number of respondents Percentage (%) Agege 5 3.4 Alimosho 24 16.3 Amunwo Odofin 7 4.8 Apapa 2 1.4 Badagry 6 4.1 Epe 2 1.4 Eti Osa 12 8.2 Ibeju-Lekki 7 4.8 Ifako Ijaiye 4 2.7 Ikeja 9 6.1 Ikorodu 12 8.2 Kosofe 15 10.2 Lagos Mainland 7 4.8 Mushin 5 3.4 Oshodi 10 6.8 Shomolu 9 6.1 Surulere 8 5.4 Others4 ₃ _2.1

The online survey had at least one respondent from each of the 20 LGAs as shown in the table above. Alimosho LGA has the highest representation with 24 respondents (See table 3 above), while other LGAs 1 respondent each labelled as others on the table. Online survey data of respondents according to LGA has been illustrated using a pie chart below (Figure 2) for a summary.

3_{Postgraduate Degree holders are people who have at least one postgraduate degree in addition to an}

undergraduate degree or a Higher National Diploma (HND).

(30)

17

Figure 2: Percentage of respondents in each of the 20 LGA of Lagos State (Author’s online survey 2021)

4.1.2. Use of Plastic Bags (147 respondents)

Table 4 below reveals data from the online survey indicating sources, the number of bags used and disposal of plastic bags which is central to the use of plastic bags.

Table 4: the use of bags and disposal (Author’s online survey 2021)

Bags per day Number of respondents Percentage (%) 1-5 93 63.3 More than 5 17 11.6 None 30 20.4 Unsure 7 4.8

Requesting a bag after every purchase

Yes, I request 65 44.2

I get without asking 56 38.1

No, I carry my bag 26 17.1

Source of bags

Supermarkets, local open markets, corner shops 136 92.5 Agege Alimosho Amunwo Odofin Apapa Badagry Epe Eti Osa Ibeju-Lekki Ifako Ijaiye Ikeja Ikorodu Kosofe Lagos Mainland Mushin Oshodi Shomolu Surulere Others

(31)

18

Restaurants/Mama Put5 ₆ _4.1

Offices, Tailor shops, other sources

5 3.4

Disposal and method of disposal after use

Keep for re-use 124 84.4

Single-use 23 15.6

Dustbin (burn, discard) 140 95.23 Drainage/gutters with no

dustbin close-by

7 4.8

Return for purchase if a plastic bag is not given

Yes 55

No 45

The results show that many residents of Lagos use at least one bag per day. 63.3% of respondents say they use between 1-5 bags daily while 11.6% admitted to using more than 5 bags per day. 20.4% said they had not used any bag at the time of responding to this survey, even though this would depend on the time of the day, they had responded to the survey. On request for a bag, survey data reveal that 44.2% request for a bag when they shop, 38.1% say they get without asking and 17.1% say they carry their bag. The major sources of carrier plastic bags are supermarkets, local open markets and street corner shops as revealed by 92.5% of respondents.

4.1.3. Would a Plastic bag determine return purchase?

Figures from the survey also show that being given a plastic bag may not determine return purchase as 45% admitted to not returning while 55% said they would still return even if they were not given a bag.

4.1.4. Reasons for use and awareness of alternatives

Table 5 below shows responses given for common use of plastic bags, the level of awareness amongst residents on available alternatives and the willingness to embrace alternatives (if it is readily available).

Table 5: figures on reasons for use and alternatives (Author’s online survey 2021)

Reasons for using a plastic bag Number of respondents Percentage (%) Convenience 53 36.1 Lack of Alternatives 70 47.6 Everyone uses it 22 15 I do not know 2 1.4

(32)

19

Awareness of Alternatives like Jute bags, Paper bags

Yes 114 77.6

No 23 15.6

Unsure 10 6.8

Willingness to Use Alternatives

Paper bags 71 48.3

Jute Bags 28 19

Woollen Bags 34 23.1

I still prefer plastic bags 12 8.2

Alternatives are unreliable 2 1.4

Convenience and lack of alternatives are the biggest reason why Lagos residents use plastic bags. Over 83% of respondents fall in these two major categories and similar to the other option of “everyone uses it” from 15% of respondents (table 5 above). The level of awareness of alternatives is high at 77.6% even though they are not a readily available option like plastic bags and the results show more favourable responses on willingness to embrace alternatives like paper or jute bags when compared to respondents who still prefer plastic bags or alternatives being unreliable.

4.1.5. Awareness of the environmental impact of plastic bags

There is a high level of awareness of the negative environmental impact of plastic bags like drainage blockage, flooding, suffocation of animals, pets. Survey data show that 97% admitted to being aware of environmental impacts compared to 3% who said no.

4.1.6. Responses for public awareness of Plastic Prohibition bill, ban of

plastic bags and paying for a bag.

Table 6 below shows how much the public knows about the plastic prohibition bill being signed passed by the lower legislative house and if they support it considering the penalties listed in the bill. Table 6: figures on public awareness on plastic prohibition bill and paying for a bag (Author’s online survey 2021)

Awareness of Plastic Prohibition Bill Number of respondents Percentage (%) Yes 10 6.8 No 137 93.2

Support of Ban of Plastic bags

Yes 52 35.4

No 51 34.7

Undecided 44 29.9

Paying for a bag

Yes 19 12.9

No 54 36.7

Why should anyone pay extra for a bag after shopping

74 50.3

Public awareness of the new plastic prohibition bill is low, considering how it would impact the environment and the public if signed into the law. Only 6.8% of respondents say they are aware, the remaining 93.2 % say they have never heard of the bill. Despite the bill being adopted by the Federal House of Representatives after passing through 3 different readings at different times in 2018 and

(33)

20

2019, many residents of Lagos are not aware of its existence. 35.4% supported the ban and 34.7% say they are not in support of the ban. On paying for a bag, 50.3% wondered why anyone would pay extra for a plastic bag after shopping, 36.7% said they will not pay leaving only 12.9% who said they would pay for a bag (See table 6 below). The details of the bill (see appendix A1) contradict the public views on the plastic bag ban as a large percentage from the survey have responded to either not be interested in paying for a bag or wonder why they would pay for a bag after spending money on groceries.

4.2. Results from Interviews

The period for the interview is February 22nd to March 27th, 2021. The responses to the interview back up the results of the anonymous online survey, reaffirming the numbers on specifics like the lack of alternatives, awareness on the environmental impact of plastic bags, social norms on the use of plastic bags, weak waste management structures and poor public knowledge of the plastic bag prohibition bill.

4.2.1. Interviewees Categories

Interviewees for this study have been categorized into two groups as shown in table 7 below. The interviews period ranged between 15 -30 minutes and respondents were in Idumota, Oshodi, Iyana-Ipaja, Bariga, Jakande, Mile 12, Ojota, Ikeja Computer Village, Yaba and Trade Fair/Mile 2 Axis. These areas have been chosen because of high human traffic at major bus stops.

Table 7: Categories of interviewees (Author’s Interview, 2021)

Categories Description Number of Respondents

Givers Retailers, store owners

including open markets who give plastic bags

15

Receivers Consumers who normally get for the bags with or without asking

15

4.2.2. Categories of reasons for using plastic bags

The reasons for using plastic bags have been classified under 6 themes based on interview responses from the givers and the receivers which has been coded using the Nvivo software in response to the research questions (See figure 3 and table 8 below)

Table 8: the classification of responses into 6 themes (Author’s Interview, 2021)

Classification of responses Description

Alternatives Availability and reliability of alternatives. These are carrier bags made from wool, paper or any other environmentally friendly source other than plastic bags available for use in Lagos.

Demand for Plastic bags The central question to this theme is what drives the demand and supply of plastic bags from the givers and receivers’ perspective. Social Norms What role does society play in enabling more use of plastic bags?

(34)

21

Policies on Ban Existing policies on plastic bags, penalties and incentives for behavioural change.

Disposal Uses and disposal of plastic bags after use

Awareness Level of public awareness on the negative environmental impact of plastic bags, government institutions and mode of governance in raising awareness.

Figure 3: Factors that determine the use of bags and disposal between receivers and givers (Author’s Interview, 2021)

4.2.3. Lack of Alternatives

The lack of alternatives, availability and cost has been given as reasons for reliance on plastic bags from responses from the interviews. Several participants stated how it is not reasonable to give up using plastic bags in the absence of alternatives with the same qualities of durability, affordability and versatility that plastic bag offers. One participant said “It's possible if these bags have alternatives that are way cheaper, durable and attractive. The biggest concern is having the traders promote these alternatives. Customers are mostly never bothered about what is given as far as it is free and durable”. Another respondent said, “The alternatives are not readily available”. Plastic

Investigating the use of plastic bags in Lagos, Nigeria

Master thesis in Sustainable Development 2021/8

Examensarbete i Hållbar utveckling

Investigating the use of plastic bags in

Lagos, Nigeria

Margaret Ojochide Aligbe

Master thesis in Sustainable Development 2021/8

Examensarbete i Hållbar utveckling

Investigating the use of plastic bags in Lagos,

Nigeria

Margaret Ojochide Aligbe

Supervisor:

Michael Jones

Subject Reviewer:

Martyn Futter

Investigating the use of plastic bags in Lagos, Nigeria

Investigating the use of plastic bags in Lagos, Nigeria

Table of Contents

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS

1. INTRODUCTION

.

1.1. Research Questions

1.1.1. Study Area

2. PLASTICS AND PLASTIC BAGS

2.1. Plastic Importation and Production in Nigeria

2.1.1. Plastic Waste Disposal and Negative Environmental Impact

2.1.2. Plastic Waste Recycling

2.1.3. Public Awareness and Plastic Bag Ban across Africa

2.1.4. Behavioural Change and Incentives to Switch from Plastic Bags

3. METHODOLOGY AND METHODS

3.1. Methods

3.1.1. Online Survey (Quantitative Data)

3.1.2. Semi-Structured Interviews

3.1.3. Copy of Plastic Bag Prohibition Bill

3.1.4. Use of Connection Circles

4. Results

4.1.1. Socio-economic data from the online survey

4.1.2. Use of Plastic Bags (147 respondents)

4.1.3. Would a Plastic bag determine return purchase?

4.1.4. Reasons for use and awareness of alternatives

4.1.5. Awareness of the environmental impact of plastic bags

4.1.6. Responses for public awareness of Plastic Prohibition bill, ban of

plastic bags and paying for a bag.

4.2. Results from Interviews

4.2.1. Interviewees Categories

4.2.2. Categories of reasons for using plastic bags

4.2.3. Lack of Alternatives